Main Entry:

²barbecue

Variant(s):

also bar·be·que

Function:

noun

Etymology:

American Spanish barbacoa framework for supporting meat over a fire, probably from Taino

Date:

1709

1 a: a large animal (as a steer) roasted whole or split over an open fire or a fire in a pit b: barbecued food <eat barbecue>2: a social gathering especially in the open air at which barbecued food is eaten3: an often portable fireplace over which meat and fish are roasted